Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2013 Audi Allroad]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2013-audi-allroad-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2013-audi-allroad-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2013-audi-allroad-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Reincarnated With A Smaller And Less Passionate Soul

2013 Audi Allroad 2.0T Quattro

Mention the name "Allroad" to most automotive enthusiasts, and it's likely to conjure up images of the Audi A6 Allroad Quattro, first introduced in 1999. That car-like alternative to a sport utility vehicle was based on the German automaker's A6 Avant wagon. But unlike its luxurious road-going sibling, the Allroad was an on- and off-road variant fitted with an advanced height-adjustable air suspension for additional ground clearance, rugged tires on oversized wheels to improve off-pavement grip and unpainted flared fenders and bumpers to protect it from rugged use. That original A6 Allroad arrived with Audi's powerful twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, more to offset its increased weight than to boost performance, and was eventually offered with a 4.2-liter V8 before it was discontinued in 2005.

Fast forward eight years, and Audi has introduced its replacement - now based on the smaller A4 Avant wagon.

A quick overview reveals that the new Allroad is smaller, less technically advanced, and it lacks its predecessor's focus and capability. Those traits aren't necessarily negative, as they appeal to a very different audience. But do they make this model less desirable?

Continue reading 2013 Audi Allroad

2013 Audi Allroad originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 audi allroadaudiaudi a4audi allroadaudi allroad reviewfeaturedreviewreviewsWed, 15 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20568700/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/2013-audi-allroad-review/20568700/article-detail.xml 20568700 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-audi-allroad-quattro-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-audi-allroad-quattro-review.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Subaru Forester XT]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Power Doesn't Come Cheap

2014 Subaru Forester XT

When Subaru first offered a turbocharged Forester XT model to US customers for the 2004 model year, the shoe-shaped second-gen model fell into a ready-made competitive set of small, V6-powered crossovers and SUVs. The XT might have been more of a raucous shopping-trip companion than, say, a Ford Escape V6, but the basics of the cars offered a clear differentiation from the naturally aspirated, four-cylinder models found just a bit downmarket. Here in 2013, the V6 breed of crossover in this size class is all but extinct, and turbocharged four-cylinders with the power to compete with the XT are not thick on the ground.

In many ways, the comparative analysis gets most interesting when you start looking around for CUVs to match up with the all-boxes-ticked Forester XT Touring that we had as a tester for a recent week. The top of the line Touring trim means that the Forester comes with features like 10-way power seats, leather, navigation, a Harmon Kardon sound system with HD radio, Bluetooth and more. In fact, our Forester also had the only option package available on the XT Touring; one that included keyless access, HID headlights and Subaru's EyeSight system (adaptive cruise, lane departure warning and pre-collision braking).

And, of course, because of the XT trim, we knew that we were getting one of the most powerful crossovers in this segment, too. Subaru's turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder lay under the hood, ready to pump out some 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque at the flex of an ankle. Combined with a light-for-the class curb weight of around 3,600 pounds and Subaru's grippy all-wheel-drive system, the XT feels pretty quick in town and on the freeway.

Add all of that up, and you've got a strong-performing, content-laden crossover, all for the sum of just $36,220 as tested...

Continue reading 2014 Subaru Forester XT

2014 Subaru Forester XT originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 forester2014 subaru forester xtfeaturedreviewreviewssubarusubaru forestersubaru forester xtTue, 14 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20567037/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/20567037/article-detail.xml 20567037 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No Prius Killer

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

As much as we enthusiasts like to rail on the lowly Toyota Prius as the harbinger of death for all we hold dear, there's no denying the machine's absolute and interminable grip on the hybrid market in the United States. Toyota has so thoroughly sunk its teeth into the segment that you can clearly hear the automaker's incisors clacking against one another with the conclusion of each financial quarter. And there's little wonder why. Buyers can plop down less than $25,000 and have a runabout that can return up to an estimated 51 miles per gallon in the city, leaving every other entry on the market with precious little gristle to gnaw on.

Enter the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid. With its claimed 47 mpg combined, the funky little hatch from Europe already falls behind the 48 mpg city offered by the Prius, but that marginal sacrifice in fuel economy could be a small price to pay for buyers who want a credible alternative to the stalwart Toyota. Unfortunately, like the Fusion Hybrid, the C-Max Hybrid had trouble even approaching its Environmental Protection Agency estimates during our time with the car.

Continue reading 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford c-max hybridfeaturedfordford c-maxford c-max hybridreviewreviewsThu, 02 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20555314/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/02/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review/20555314/article-detail.xml 20555314 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Audi RS5 [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/2013-audi-rs5-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/2013-audi-rs5-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/2013-audi-rs5-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Enjoying The Romance, Not Yet Convinced About A Commitment

2013 Audi RS5

I imagine spending time with a sexy sports coupe is similar to a first date with a supermodel. Before she arrives, there's a buildup of excitement mixed with nervous anticipation. Even though the background work is done, there are many concerns and unanswered questions about how the two of you will get along. What about compatibility, engagement and dynamics?

The big day arrives, and you answer the door to find her waiting in the driveway wearing a form-fitting Misano Red Pearl dress and sleek Anthracite stilettos. As you shake your head in disbelief, you swear she just winked her... ah... xenon headlight at you.

Relax big boy, you've been fantasizing about the 2013 Audi RS5.

Continue reading 2013 Audi RS5 [w/video]

2013 Audi RS5 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 audi rs5audiaudi rs5featuredreviewreviewsWed, 01 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20553764/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/2013-audi-rs5-w-video/20553764/article-detail.xml 20553764 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-rs5-review-1367357374_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-rs5-review-1367357374.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/2013-mini-john-cooper-works-gp-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/2013-mini-john-cooper-works-gp-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/2013-mini-john-cooper-works-gp-review-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Location, Location, Location

2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP

Back in February, Mini invited me to come try out its brand-new Paceman coupe-crossover-hatchback thing in Puerto Rico, and not long after, I spit out a Quick Spin detailing my impressions of the little-big two-door. But here's what I didn't tell you: Mini also let me loose on those fine, curvaceous, tropical roads in its hottest hatch, the John Cooper Works GP. And while that behind-the-wheel gigglefest would have no doubt made for a story laden with positive notes and warm regards, the truth is, I only drove it for 15 minutes, so I couldn't in good conscience offer much of a story to you. (European Editor Matt Davis also got a short stint behind the wheel of the GP late last year.)

So for the sake of due diligence, I buckled down and spent a full eight days with the JCW GP back home in Detroit, just as springtime was starting to stick here in southeast Michigan. But after my time with the Mini, I was wishing that I could have just been left with my GP memories from Puerto Rico, where I was pushing the little hotbox hard around smooth corners and flexing every one of its muscles to eke out the full JCW GP experience in only a short timeframe.

This was indeed a bittersweet homecoming.

Continue reading 2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP

2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 mini john cooper works gpfeaturedminimini coopermini john cooper works gpreviewreviewsTue, 30 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552356/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/30/2013-mini-john-cooper-works-gp-review-video/20552356/article-detail.xml 20552356 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-mini-jcw-gp-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-mini-jcw-gp-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Honda Fit Sport]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/2013-honda-fit-sport-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/2013-honda-fit-sport-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/2013-honda-fit-sport-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Revisiting The Runabout Of Record

2013 Honda Fit Sport

The current Honda Fit has been around the block a few times. The subcompact hatch has soldiered on without significant revision since its first update for US customers in 2009, and while Honda is on the verge of launching a third generation, we thought we'd take the time to see how the runabout stacks up against the new wave of small, efficient and plucky five-doors now on the American market. Those include old standbys like the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris, as well as relative newcomers like the Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Fiesta.

Those machines may have all covered ground on the Fit, but Honda's wee machine holds a pleasant surprise for those buyers still willing to give the car the time of day. While the rest of the Japanese automaker's lineup has succumbed to dreaded model bloat, the Fit has remained true to the spirit of Honda that we remember from our vagabond youths. This may very well still be the closest genetic ancestor to the Civic models of old.

Outside, the Fit Sport continues to wear its "I'm the meanest June Bug" looks with pride. The oversized, wedge-shaped headlamps and aggressive lower fascia help lend the design plenty of attitude up front, and our tester's 16-inch alloy wheels keep this Honda from looking like it was the cheapest thing on the lot. Still, with a massive windscreen, tall greenhouse and short wheelbase, the Fit Sport can't help but look over-inflated, but that's a criticism we could levy at nearly every other product in this segment as well.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Fit Sport

2013 Honda Fit Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 honda fitfeaturedhondahonda fitreviewreviewsMon, 29 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20550916/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/2013-honda-fit-sport-review/20550916/article-detail.xml 20550916 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-honda-fit-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-honda-fit-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 BMW X1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/2013-bmw-x1-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/2013-bmw-x1-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/2013-bmw-x1-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A Tasty Bit Of Old School For The New School

2013 BMW X1

Against the backdrop of fervent hand-wringing from brand purists, BMW is on the cusp of finally offering front-wheel-drive vehicles. While that's a shock to the constitution, many are pointing to the company's fine-handling Mini offerings as an article of faith that it can get this drivetrain paradigm shift right. That may be true, but there's an even more important lesson that Mini has taught the decision-makers in Munich: how to make real money on small cars.

Before Mini came along, BMW - along with seemingly every other premium European automaker - never really figured out how to coax big dollars out of American wallets without developing cars that had large footprints, at least those other than sports cars. While the automaker really got rolling in America on the strength of little bantamweights like the 2002, it veered away from small cars sometime in the '80s. BMW subsequently crashed and burned with the cut-and-shut 318ti built off its E36 3 Series and, good as it is, the 1 Series hasn't given the company meaty volume or profits, either. Among other brands, the Audi A3 has never rung up big numbers, and the less said about the painful sales figures of the Volvo C30, the better. But Mini has beat the odds, blazing a more affordable and evidently compelling trail. As of late, the company's Countryman softroader has been a massive hit worldwide. No surprise then that BMW has reconsidered bringing over its smallest softroader, the X1, to the US.

The X1 originally went on sale in Europe in 2010, and after a solid launch on its home continent, the little crossover was introduced in small-car-friendly Canada for 2012, only going on sale here in the US fresh off a minor facelift for 2013. To be clear, the X1 shares no design DNA with the even-smaller Countryman. Their engineers don't even use the same washroom - whereas the Mini is based on a front-drive chassis, the X1's architecture is a variant of the aforementioned rear-wheel-drive 1 Series, itself derived from the old E90 3 Series. Exactly none of this is bad news.

Continue reading 2013 BMW X1

2013 BMW X1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 bmw x1bmwbmw x1reviewreviewsxdrive28iTue, 23 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20547080/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/23/2013-bmw-x1-review/20547080/article-detail.xml 20547080 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-bmw-x1-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-bmw-x1-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Lexus LS460 F-Sport AWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/2013-lexus-ls460-f-sport-awd-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/2013-lexus-ls460-f-sport-awd-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/22/2013-lexus-ls460-f-sport-awd-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Gary Approved

2013 Lexus LS460 F-Sport AWD

There's a guy that goes to my gym who can't get enough of the Lexus LS - let's call him Gary. Gary's the guy - you've probably got one at your gym, or coffee shop, or some other public but quasi-social location - who talks to everyone he meets. Sit next to him on the rowing machine or run by him on the track, and he's almost certainly going to bend your ear for a minute or 20. Gary is in his mid-60s, a business owner, and the super-proud owner of a 2013 Lexus LS.

Not being a shy man, Gary will be the first one to tell you that he didn't do much comparative shopping (he "drove by" the BMW dealership, and looked at a 7 Series "on the computer"). Being a satisfied former owner of multiple Lexus RXs, there was probably only a tiny statistical chance that Gary wouldn't end up in an LS when it came time for him to treat himself to the tricked out luxury car that he'd wanted for a long time. Still, when I found myself chatting with Gary about his new LS, right after I had spent a wintry week in the 2013 LS460 F-Sport AWD, I figured that he'd have some light to shed on the car.

Without substantively quoting the man (I was on the rowing machine; how often do you bring a steno pad to the gym?), here are the main things that drew Gary to the LS: He's a Lexus owner, as discussed, first and foremost. He likes the brand, has had great experiences with other products, and considers the local dealer a friend who will give him "the hookup." Gary described both the engine and the ride of the LS as being "smooth" or "so smooth" at different times during our conversation, mentioning that the car was really fast, as well. Most of his praise though, was aimed at the styling of the LS, which Gary thought was beautiful inside and out. His one criticism lay with "all those gadgets" in the car, which, I was told, he mostly didn't screw around with. Based on some commenter feedback I've gotten on my last few car reviews, I think that a large portion of the Autoblog audience would identify with Gary's succinct (if sometimes oblique) style of vehicle evaluation. We're talking to his people.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus LS460 F-Sport AWD

2013 Lexus LS460 F-Sport AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 lexus ls2013 lexus ls 460 f sportfeaturedlexuslexus lsreviewreviewsMon, 22 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20546516/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/22/2013-lexus-ls460-f-sport-awd-review/20546516/article-detail.xml 20546516 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-lexus-ls460-f-sport-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-lexus-ls460-f-sport-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/2013-hyundai-santa-fe-sport-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/2013-hyundai-santa-fe-sport-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/18/2013-hyundai-santa-fe-sport-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Crossover For The Kardashians Of 1895



My wife and I are holdouts among our friends and family in the offspring department. Our heir-free lifestyle, however, affords us the opportunity to travel this great land, and road trips are our favorite. So while I'm unqualified to remark on how well the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport will swallow an infant son and stroller, I can pass judgment on this two-row crossover's talents for carrying people and cargo over great distances.

The lady and I recently drove a new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport to one of this country's national treasures: the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The Biltmore was built between 1889 and 1895 by George Vanderbilt, grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt who was one of this country's earliest captains of industry. Despite the Biltmore being the largest privately owned home in the United States, which it remains to this day with a footprint of 178,926 square feet, George and his wife, Edith, only ever had one child. A family of two parents plus one child would have made the Vanderbilts exactly the type of people Hyundai hopes to attract with this two-row Santa Fe Sport - George's eldest brother, Cornelius II, had seven children and would've had better luck fitting his brood in the larger three-row Santa Fe (sans the "Sport" suffix).

Like George, the all-new Santa Fe Sport is now the youngest in a large family of redesigned Hyundais that have been pushing the Korean brand's sales ever higher. Being last in a line of overachievers has its advantages, as this new Santa Fe Sport comes to market with the brand's latest design, technology and safety features, all of which it needs to compete in a midsize crossover segment that is more crowded and competitive than perhaps any other.

Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 hyundai santa fe sportbiltmorebiltmore estatefeaturedgeorge vanderbilthyundaihyundai santa fehyundai santa fe sportreviewreviewsvanderbiltThu, 18 Apr 2013 11:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20543945/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/18/2013-hyundai-santa-fe-sport-review/20543945/article-detail.xml 20543945 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-hyundai-santa-fe---01-opt2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-hyundai-santa-fe---01-opt2.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Toyota RAV4]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/2013-toyota-rav4-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/2013-toyota-rav4-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/16/2013-toyota-rav4-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A Nicer View Than Ever Of Middle Of The Road

2013 Toyota RAV4 - front three-quarter view, red

When we had our first shot behind the wheel of the 2013 Toyota RAV4, the overall judgment from Managing Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski could be summed up in a sentence along the lines of, "Eh, not bad." The truth is that the compact crossover segment, now filled with not-so-compact offerings, is as cutthroat as any in the industry these days. When a heavyweight player like the RAV4 comes to market with a new generation, it is not at liberty to start from a clean sheet, lest it throw cold water on a vehicle that sells tens of thousands of units globally every month. Like De La Soul says, "Stakes is high."

If the choices in the marketplace were still largely limited to the Honda CR-V, as was the case when this market niche was green, the Toyota offering might actually seem like the exciting choice. But with new players offering better dynamic thrills (Mazda CX-5), cool turbo motors and fancy technology (Ford Escape), or even crunchy cred (Subaru Forester), the small crossover shopper is really spoiled for choice in 2013.

With Mr. Korzeniewski's excellent First Drive review covering the granularity of the RAV4 specification so well, we chose to focus our notes this time around on living with the Toyota in its natural suburban habitat for a longer stretch. What's more, we'll try to mark out where the CUV wins, loses or draws with the rest of the strident segment.

Continue reading 2013 Toyota RAV4

2013 Toyota RAV4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 toyota rav4featuredrav4 reviewreviewreviewstoyotatoyota rav4Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20541575/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/16/2013-toyota-rav4-review/20541575/article-detail.xml 20541575 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/01-2013-toyota-rav4-review-opt_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/01-2013-toyota-rav4-review-opt.png <![CDATA[2013 Land Rover Range Rover [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/11/2013-land-rover-range-rover-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/11/2013-land-rover-range-rover-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/11/2013-land-rover-range-rover-review-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Legendary, Iconic... And Improved?



It is an undeniable reality that there are only so many adjectives to choose from when describing a given vehicle. Here are two that tend to be both overused and misused perhaps more than any other: legendary and iconic.

Forgive us for regaling you with these descriptors yet again, but when it comes to the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover, there simply aren't any words in the English language that can be applied to this sport utility vehicle that are as accurate and forceful as legendary and iconic. And what's especially impressive about our use of these adjectives is that they apply equally well when discussing the Range Rover's off-road capabilities as they do its position as a status symbol.

This marketplace position, however laudable and desirable it may be, presents a unique problem: How do you redesign a legendary SUV to be better, faster and stronger while maintaining its posh image? The boffins at Land Rover think they've nailed the art of the redesign, and we spent a week with the 2013 Range Rover to find out for ourselves if you really can mess with success and come out the victor.

Continue reading 2013 Land Rover Range Rover [w/video]

2013 Land Rover Range Rover [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 land rover range roverfeaturedland roverland rover range roverreviewreviewsThu, 11 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20536763/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/11/2013-land-rover-range-rover-review-video/20536763/article-detail.xml 20536763 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/01-2013-land-rover-range-rover-review-opt2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/01-2013-land-rover-range-rover-review-opt2.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/10/2013-volkswagen-beetle-turbo-convertible-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/10/2013-volkswagen-beetle-turbo-convertible-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/10/2013-volkswagen-beetle-turbo-convertible-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Less Flower, More Power



Pardon our political incorrectness for a moment, but the Volkswagen New Beetle was, undeniably, a "chick car." There was almost nothing that the New Beetle offered to enthusiasts (of either gender), and by the end of its run, VW had even stripped all of the exciting engines from the car's lineup. Looking to resurrect some of the excitement behind the Beetle, the third generation of the iconic car ditched the cuteness when the coupe debuted for 2012, and now the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible aims to show how much fun drivers can have without a top.

Celebrating almost six and a half decades of the Beetle convertible, Volkswagen is offering a trio of distinct special editions that celebrate three of the car's most popular decades (the '50s, '60s and '70s), but as one of the unofficial cars of the 1960s, it would almost be a crime not to test this version, right? Besides, this is also the only special edition to get the turbocharged engine. While our first drive of the 2013 Beetle Convertible was in the fuel-miser TDI variation, our two-week romp in the 2013 Beetle Convertible '60s Edition came just as peak convertible weather was kicking off down in Florida.

The retro styling craze caught like a wildfire in the early 2000s, but quickly fizzled out as automakers realized that redesigning these cars for a subsequent second generation became a challenge in itself. This is likely the very reason why the New Beetle remained relatively the same for almost its entire 12-year run, but in creating the third-generation Beetle, Volkswagen tried to distance itself from adjectives like "cute" and "bubbly" by using more mainstream-friendly cues, which carry over nicely to the convertible form.

Continue reading 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 volkswagen beetle convertible60s editionfeaturedreviewreviewsvolkswagenvolkswagen beetlevolkswagen beetle 60s editionvolkswagen beetle convertibleWed, 10 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20535701/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/10/2013-volkswagen-beetle-turbo-convertible-review/20535701/article-detail.xml 20535701 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/03-2013-vw-beetle-turbo-conv-review-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/03-2013-vw-beetle-turbo-conv-review-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Lexus GS450h [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2013-lexus-gs450h-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2013-lexus-gs450h-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/09/2013-lexus-gs450h-review-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

An Unlikely Star in the Lexus Stable

2013 Lexus GS450h

Think about Lexus for a second. Odds are your gray matter is busy regurgitating images of the company's middle-aged RX crossover or possibly the midsize ES sedan. As the volume movers for Toyota's luxury fleet, the two are the default ambassadors for everything with an italicized L pinned to the grille, and that's a damned shame. As the 2013 GS450h is so willing to point out, Lexus engineers are busily crafting models that offer drivers more than a safe luxury choice.

As the master of fuel-sipping battery propulsion, Lexus has brought the impressive width of Toyota hybrid engineering to bear on the GS450h. The result is a vehicle that manages to sneak its hybridness by you with buttery acceleration, stone quiet operation and brakes that don't feel like you're trying walk around the house in Velcro socks. The drivetrain doesn't feel the need to beat you over the head with its battery pack or announce to the neighborhood that you're saving the world one whispery mile at a time. Both driver and passengers get to enjoy a luxury car that just so happens to be a hybrid instead of the other way around.

There's no denying just how striking the GS has become outside. For all the ridicule Lexus endured for its new Predator-maw corporate look, the design snatches eyeballs quicker than a cross Master Pai Mei. Up front, the nose manages to look fresh without straying into garishness, though Lexus designers are walking a fine line here. While the LED daytime running lamps are a bit derivative, we love the complex and sculpted lower valance. Like other hardware in the Lexus toolbox, the GS gives you plenty to look at head on.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus GS450h [w/video]

2013 Lexus GS450h [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 lexus gs450hfeaturedlexuslexus gslexus gs450hlexus hybridreviewreviewsvideoTue, 09 Apr 2013 11:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20534276/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/09/2013-lexus-gs450h-review-video/20534276/article-detail.xml 20534276 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-lexus-gs450h-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-lexus-gs450h-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Audi S8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/2013-audi-s8-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/2013-audi-s8-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/2013-audi-s8-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Italy To Monaco In Ingolstadt's Crushing Performance Saloon

2013 Audi S8

I had an engagement a while back with the Audi RS5 Cabriolet in Monaco, and getting me from my lair in northern Italy by plane connection is an utter waste of time since the first flight is always to either Paris, Zurich, or Rome, three cities not at all on the way to Monaco. So I phoned Audi Italia about a quick loan of a car for the three-hour-ish drive to this event, and they were simpatici enough to propose that I keep whatever they gave me for two weeks. And what they gave me was a loaded Audi S8 with properly chosen 20-inch Dunlop SP Winter Sport treads attached.

This was about to be a much cooler two weeks than I had planned.

On the other hand, several colleagues looked at me and then at the car, and then said, "You'll love the thing until it's time to fill it." I was determined to show them all that the 23.8-gallon capacity of premium fuel would not break my will to love the S8 as though it were my own in everyday driving over the next fourteen days.

Continue reading 2013 Audi S8

2013 Audi S8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 audi a82013 audi s8audiaudi a8audi s8featuredreviewreviewsThu, 04 Apr 2013 11:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20529570/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/04/2013-audi-s8-review/20529570/article-detail.xml 20529570 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-s8-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-s8-fd.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/03/2013-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-gsr-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/03/2013-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-gsr-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/03/2013-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-gsr-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Quick Corners And Long Goodbyes



Editor's Note: While driving the Mitsubishi Evolution in the slush and snow of a Michigan winter is a fine enterprise, photographing it in such conditions is usually not fruitful. That's why you'll notice a slight disparity between our wintry text and sunny, Arizona-based photographs of the subject car. Rest assured, both the review vehicle and the photo car are of the same basic Evo GSR flavor.

It was a dreary, gray, barely sufferable winter morning in Ann Arbor, MI. Temperatures hovering just over 30 degrees allowed for snow or rain or some combination thereof at a moment's notice, and the thickly clouded sky hinted at dark secrets while promising nothing. I've never been a rally driver but I couldn't help but feel that this murky, imprecise day was good winter rally weather. I'll admit: I don't usually wake up and look out the window to judge which kind of racing would be best just then, but the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR delivered to my house the day before was coloring the mood of the hour; most of my thoughts ran to where I was going to drive it, when, and how fast.

The Evo sitting in my crumbling suburban driveway sounded like a rifle shot when I first turned the engine over at 5:00 AM - exhaust meted out in cranky blats every time I tiptoed on the throttle. I was up early on a winter's Saturday for a few reasons, number one being that I'm oddly inhabited by the insomniac spirit of an octogenarian for a 34-year-old, and I wake up even if I don't have to. Number two was all about the Mitsubishi.

Continue reading 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Practicality From The Italian Ministry of Cute

2014 Fiat 500L

As seen in the correct Italian/European light, Fiat is rightly dubbed a small car kingdom. This is not the marque's whole story, though, and it's certainly not a way Fiat appreciates being pigeonholed. But even the brand itself sort of has to admit that, in the end, without clever and right-priced smaller cars in its lineup, it might not even exist today.

Between the early 1980s and the dawn of the 21st century, however, the Fiat brand seemingly did everything it could to wreck itself and its core compact-car reputation by producing a series of certifiably unamazing cars that mostly looked drab and behaved below average. Just go have a gander at the Ritmo, the Duna, the 1992-98 Cinquecento, 2004-07 Seicento/600, and the most recent European mega-flop (though actually a pretty good car), the Stilo, discontinued in 2008. Thankfully, almost right out of the gates since the mid-aughts, however, that has no longer been the case.

Jammed in this self-inflicted Catch-22 of small-car dependence, Fiat finally started capitalizing on the millstone hanging around its neck and turned it into a positive with the introduction of the new 500 back in 2007. The 500 and its wildly popular Abarth interpretations have allowed Fiat to at last create good premium-subcompact profits because these cars have become personalized trend and fashion statements worldwide.

Now I've driven this cheeky 2014 Fiat 500L mini-MPV, which should arrive in the US by the end of June. It's the next chapter in the Fiat brand's rise from the ashes and re-entry in America. The latter has been perhaps a much slower rise than desired due to the Great Recession and a European car market that continues to collapse in on itself in pretty scary fashion, but there is now light at the end of the Fiat tunnel. After a whole week of normal day-to-day with child and friends and stuff and many miles traveled, I was genuinely convinced by the 500L after not really knowing at all what to expect.

Continue reading 2014 Fiat 500L [w/video]

2014 Fiat 500L [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 fiat 500lcinquecentofeaturedfiatfiat 500lfirst driveFirstDrivereviewTue, 02 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20525540/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/02/2014-fiat-500l-first-drive-review-video/20525540/article-detail.xml 20525540 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2014-fiat-500l-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2014-fiat-500l-fd.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Your Mileage May Vary

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

As difficult as it is to write this, I was actually excited about the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. With the beautiful looks of the newest midsize fighter from Ford and a fuel economy estimate capable of shaming even the stalwart Camry Hybrid, the battery-augmented four-door seemed like a recipe for unabashed success. But appearances love nothing more than swapping our boundless enthusiasm for cold platters of disappointment. The 2013 Fusion Hybrid gets hobbled right out of the gate with a lofty price tag, and real-world driving keeps the sedan from even approaching those EPA figures.

With so many excellent midsize hybrids on the market, is there any reason to consider the newest Fusion Hybrid? Are sharp aesthetics, a well-executed interior and capable driving dynamics enough to overcome the machine's shortfalls? Not from where I'm standing.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford fusion hybridenvironmental protection agencyepafordford fusionford fusion hybridreviewreviewsMon, 01 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20524287/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/01/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-review/20524287/article-detail.xml 20524287 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-fd-1364790484_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-fd-1364790484.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Infiniti FX37]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/2013-infiniti-fx37-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/2013-infiniti-fx37-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/2013-infiniti-fx37-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Who Needs A V8?



There's something in the water at Nissan. Has to be. There's no other explanation for a company that produces vehicles like the Murano CrossCabriolet and Juke as well as the undeniably bonkers GT-R. Infiniti hasn't escaped whatever's lurking in the well, either. The company's recent shift from a comfortable and logical naming structure to a slurry of Q-based monikers is the most recent example of insanity lurking in the luxury automaker's halls, but it certainly isn't the first. Take, for example, the FX50.

With its 390-horsepower V8 engine and a rear-bias all-wheel-drive platform, the mid-sized SUV is more sports car than family hatchback, and while a V8 in this segment is entirely ludicrous, it's also the engine option we preferred over the less-throaty 3.5-liter V6. Like nearly every other off-tilt offering from Nissan, the FX50 simply made sense in a too-much-whiskey kind of way. But Infiniti has just offered up the best argument yet against that muscle-bound bruiser in the form of the FX37. Powered by the automaker's new 3.7-liter V6 and backed by a recognizably aggressive exterior, the machine is doing a good job of stealing its older brother's spotlight.

Continue reading 2013 Infiniti FX37

2013 Infiniti FX37 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last Hurrah Comes and Goes In A Hurry

2013 Volvo C30 R-Design Polestar Limited Edition

It isn't very often that we drive a new car that's already out of production, but that's exactly what has happened with this 2013 Volvo C30. After just five years on the North American market, the last C30 quietly rolled off the assembly line back in December. But before that happened, Volvo decided to send its compact hatchback out on a high note with a little added performance and exclusivity courtesy of this R-Design Polestar Limited Edition model.

The term "hot hatch" is admittedly tossed around a lot these days, but the combination of an R-Design styling package coupled with a good number of extra ponies under the hood should be more than enough to put the C30 in the mix with the likes of the Volkswagen GTI and its not-too-distant cousin, the Mazdaspeed3. The chief problem with the Polestar Limited Edition, though, is that it's priced against sportier all-wheel-drive compacts like the Golf R and Subaru WRX STI, so we decided to spend a week with the Polestar to see if its exclusivity and performance are enough to make up for its higher price tag.

Continue reading 2013 Volvo C30 R-Design Polestar Limited Edition [w/video]

2013 Volvo C30 R-Design Polestar Limited Edition [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 volvo c302013 volvo c30 polestar limited editionc30c30 r-designc30 r-design polestar limited editionpolestarreviewreviewsvolvovolvo reviewThu, 28 Feb 2013 11:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20481720/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/28/2013-volvo-c30-r-design-polestar-limited-edition-review-video/20481720/article-detail.xml 20481720 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2013-volvo-c30-r-design-polestar-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2013-volvo-c30-r-design-polestar-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 AWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/2013-cadillac-ats-3-6-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/2013-cadillac-ats-3-6-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/27/2013-cadillac-ats-3-6-awd/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

All-Wheel, All Right

2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 AWD - front three-quarter view

There is no escaping the luxury all-wheel drive empire Audi has built for itself over the past 15 years. While nearly every high-end marque has at least one offering with power at all four corners, the hardware can't help but play second fiddle to Ingolstadt's Quattro kingdom. Leather-lined all-wheel drive is simply Audi the way minimum wage is an English degree. But General Motors seems hell-bent on raiding as many established fiefdoms as possible with the 2013 Cadillac ATS. Engineers and designers made no secret of the fact that the baby Cadillac was penned specifically to take on the BMW 3 Series, but Audi should be no less concerned about the newest luxury prince from Detroit.

GM has been stuffing all-wheel drive systems under their vehicles for years, but the effort hasn't come without nasty side effects. Unfortunate understeer, extra ride height, smallish wheels and porky curb weight meant opting for all-wheel drive was like signing your driving pleasure's death warrant. Would you like polished brass or brushed nickel hardware for your right foot's coffin, sir?

But the 2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 AWD is remarkably bereft of those unattractive traits. Is this neutral-driving powerhouse enough to punch a hole in the Audi front line?

Continue reading 2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 AWD

2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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